In Memoriam: Carl B. Porcello

The founder of CinePro and UltraVision, the longtime ASC associate member passed away on June 17, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.  

Born in August 24, 1933, Carl B. Porcello launched his 50-year-long motion-picture career right out of high school, accepting a job as an errand boy at Camera Equipment Company of New York City, a leading rental house. After just four years — and several promotions — he was made the manager of the camera department. In 1962, the firm merged with another rental house, Florman and Babb Company, and incorporated under the name of F&B/Ceco.

In 1968, Porcello was named the vice president and general manager of F&B/Ceco in southern California. The company grew exponentially, soon branching out with divisions in other states, including New Jersey and Florida, as well as Washington D.C. As president, Porcello oversaw a staff of more than 250 people. And the company offered far more than cameras and lighting, supplying everything from location services to production office space to editing services. They supported every film format, from 35mm to 16mm to Super 8.

After 24 years at the company, Porcello resigned in 1975 to form his own rental company, which he dubbed CinePro. After a brief run, he sold it in 1980, and it is now known as Panavision Hollywood.

In 1983, Porcello announced the formation of UltraVision, Inc. — a new rental house located in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard, offering a wide selection of state-of-the-art MovieCam and ARRI cameras. The company would support projects including the features A.I., 3000 Miles to Graceland, Six Feet Under, Bubble Boy and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, as well as series including Moonlighting, T.J. Hooker, Mike Hammer, Houston Nights, Cagney and Lacey, Diagnosis Murder, Black Scorpion, Charmed, VIP, Clueless and J.A.G, among many others.

Porcello retired in 2013 and is survived by his wife, Ingeborg M. Porcello.